Lightweight window unit



Dec. 27, 1966 G. H. FLETCHER 3,293,802

LIGHTWEIGHT WINDOW UNIT Filed July 9, 1964 rim, 9 2O I N VENTOR.

GEORGE. H. FLETCHER United States Patent 3,293,802 LIGHTWEIGHT WINDOW UNIT George H. Fletcher, Orlando, Fla., assignor of one-third to Julian C. Renfro, Winter Park, Fla. Filed July 9, 1964, Ser. No. 381,343 4 Claims. (Cl. 49-421) This invention relates to an improvement in lightweight window units, and more particularly to a window retention concept for employment in lightweight window frames in order to provide improved window action as well as to enable the simplified removal of one or both window sashes without disassembly of the window frame being necessary.

In recent years, lightweight window units such as those constructed of aluminum have become increasingly popular because of their attractiveness, economy and durability. In many instances lightweight sash type windows have been preferred over jalousie type windows in view of the inability of latter type windows to exclude undesired heat and cold. Sliding sash type windows have also been preferred over awning type windows in view of the fact that the former involves no protruding components, thus making sliding sash windows particularly desirable where space limitations are involved.

Because aluminum sliding sash windows are constructed with an eye toward lightness and inexpensiveness, in the past it has been impossible to remove a window sash for the replacement of glass or other purposes without disassembly of the window frame, which, of course, meant that a homeowner had to pay for an expensive service call if a window pane of such a unit became broken, and cleaning had to be accomplished with the sashes in place.

In accordance with this invention I provide slidable window sash units disposed in lightweight window frames whose channels or tracks are, in a manner of speaking, somewhat oversize in the dimension corresponding to the plane of the window. However, the window sashes fit properly in said channels by virtue of the use of novel insert members, hereinafter referred to as guide-bearings, which are employed at spaced locations along each boundary of the window sash destined to be in contact with the window frame. These insert members are provided with flexible portions normally biased slightly away from the window sash and into sliding contact with front edge portions of the channel of the window frame, thus to bring about a desired centering of the sash in the window frame and normally an elimination of metal-tometal contact between the sashes and frame.

Advantageously, removal of a window sash can be accomplished in accordance with my invention merely by pressing the flexible portions of the guide-bearings out of contact with the window frame on, say, the left side of the sash, and sliding that side of the sash more deeply into its channel of the Window frame so as to bring the right side of the sash free of its channel, and thus enable effortless removal of the window sash from the window frame.

This arrangement is very much to be preferred over the spring type means used in some wooden sash windows to permit simplified removal of a sash in view of the fact that spring means of the usual type, if employed in lightweight window units, would bring about'undesired warpage and distortion as well as considerably increasing the cost of such units. In addition, such arrangements typically result in more diflicult window action, whereas my novel inserts, in effect, create a self-lubricated nylon bearing arrangement preventing metal-to-metal contact between components.

I typically use two of my novel insert members on each edge of each window sash of my window units, with such insert members being of tough, resilient 3,293,802 Patented Dec. 27, 1966 material such as nylon or delrin. Because of the configuration involved, the flexible portions of the guidebearings would otherwise extend away somewhat from the window sash, but are in normal use held closely adjacent the window sash by the forwardmost portions of the channel of the window frame when the sash is in place. Shoulder portions are provided on the flexible portions which serve as a guide for the window sashes, and by virute of proper spacing of the rear side of such shoulder portions away from the window sash, the flexible portions of the bearing-guides may be moved by finger pressure away from contact with the window frame, thereby removing sash contact from the front edge of the frame and allowing movement of that edge of the window sash more deeply into its respective channel of the window frame, thus to permit removal of the opposite edge of the sash from the frame.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide novel guide-bearings for use with lightweight window sashes to enable satisfactory window action over many years of use, as well as the simplified removal of the window sashes from the window frames in which they are employed.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from a study of the enclosed drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an assembled lightweight window unit in which the sashes thereof are maintained in place by the use, in accordance with this invention, of novel insert members employed on left and right boundaries of each window sash so as to provide centering of same as well as simplified removal of the sashes when desired;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view of my novel insert member, revealing the flexible portion thereof in some detail; I

FIGURE 3 is an edge view of my novel insert member, with the flexible portion shown in its natural position;

FIGURE 4 is a view showing the novel shoulder portion depressed so that that edge of its window sash can be slid deeply into its channel;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view of window sash and window channel, showing the relationship of the novel shoulder member to the front edge of the window frame when the sash is in its installed position;

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view to a smaller scale of both sides of the window sash in the normal operative side with the shoulder member free; and

FIGURE 8 is another embodiment of my insert mem-v ber, in which different securing means are employed for securing my guide-bearing to the edge of the window sash.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 it will be noted that window unit 10 is there revealed to comprise frame portion 11, lower windowsash 12 and upper window sash 13.

Sashes 12 and 13 are easily slidable in the usual manner,

but by virtue of this invention can be easily removed from the window frame without any tools being involved," any extensive disassembly procedures followed, or an expensive service call made.

As will be noted, my novel insert members 14 are preferably employed on left and right sides of both window sashes, and as will be set forth hereinafter in detail, these insert members form the contact between the window sash and the channels of the window frame, thus to isolate the sashes from metal-to-metal contact with the frame. Because of the function they perform, I prefer to call members 14 guide-bearings;

In order that it may be understood how the members 14. serve to .properly position the window sashes during normal use yet enable effortless removal of the window sashes when occasion arises, reference is made to FIG- URES 2 through 5, and in the first instance to FIGURE 2.

As will be noted, the base portion 16 of the guide-bearing 14 is provided with securing means whereby the member 14 may be secured to the window sash. In this instance, the securing means may take the form of legs 17 configured to have an enlarged outermost portion 18 designed to fit into an appropriate recess disposed along the longitudinal edge of the window sash. At this point, reference should be made to FIGURES 4 and wherein ,recess 19 is revealed in the window sash frame 20, which recess is configured to allow the enlarged portion 18 to be slidable along the edge of the window sash. This recess, known as a screw boss, may be continuous along the edge of the window sash, and therefore require insertion at the top or bottom, and require removal of the leg members by sliding the insert member to the top or bottom of the sash. These latter details pertain only to the original installation of the insert members on the sashes, for they are thereafter anchored by virtue of upsetting the edge of the sash somewhat to prevent undesired sliding of the insert members along the window sash when the window is in operation.

Significantly to this invention, a flexible portion 21 is provided on each insert member, constituted by a comparatively thin portion 22 and an upstanding shoulder portion 23. The shoulder portion 23 involves a contact or guide portion 24 along one surface thereof which, as revealed in FIGURES 5 and 6 is normally in contact with a front edge portion 28a of the window frame. Because the flexible portion 21 is resilient and possesses natural springiness, this portion of the insert member would normally be in the position illustrated in FIG- URE 3, but by virtue of being utilized in the manner shown in FIGURE 5, this portion normally resides substantially parallel to and spaced from the front edge of the sash frame 20 as shown in FIGURE 5. Metal-tometal contact between sash and frame can be prevented merely by utilizing weather stripping 26 or the like along the rear edge of the sash, Where it is disposed in an appropriate recess 27 and extends outwardly into contact with the rear edge 28b of the channel in the window frame.

The height of shoulder portion 23 may, for example, be 0.025 inch, and the spacing between the front edge of the window sash and the rear side of front frame member 0.050 inch, meaning that ample space is provided between sash and frame for the deflection; of the flexible portion as shown in FIGURE 4. In other words, sufficient spacing is provided so that shoulder 23 can pass between sash and frame, thus to enable the window sash to be removed when desired, although 0.025 inch of spacing is, of course, not mandatory.

As shown in FIGURES 5 through 7, glass pane 31 is disposed in each edge of the sash frame 20, held in place by a glazing bead 32, such as of vinyl.

Referring to FIGURE 6 it will be noted that in th normal operation of a window unit constructed to utilize my invention, the flexible guide members of the insert members are each disposed so that bearing surfaces 25 are in sliding contact with respective members 28a defining the front of spaced, substantially parallel window channels 29, and with the contact portions 24 slidable along the edge of members 28a.

When it be desired to remove a window sash, it is only necessary to bring finger pressure to bear against both of the upstanding shoulder members on one side of the window sash, so as to bring about the position illustrated in FIGURE 4. This enables subsequent hand pressure on the window sash to slide it to the left as viewed in FIGURE 7 so that it moves deeply into its 1 window channel. This, of course, has the consequence of bringing the right edge free of the right-hand side of the window frame so as to permit easy removal of same. Reinsertion is likewise a simple matter, and may be commenced by inserting either right or left edge of the window sash into the window frame.

Referring to FIGURE 8, another embodiment of my novel'insert member is there shown, in which the means for securing the insert member to the window sash is -in the form of a pin 37, disposed in a hole 39 in the front edge of the sash. It should be noted at this point that it is not required that pin 37 be fitted tightly into its hole 39, for the fit need only be tight enough to prevent the insert member from dropping off the sash frame when the sash has been removed from its frame. This is true inasmuch as when the sash is in its assembled position in the frame shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, it is held safely against undesired dislodgement by the fact that the flexible portion 21 provides a form of spring bias that keeps the weather stripping 26 in firm, yet sliding contact with the rear edge 28b of the channel 29 by virtue of the pressure of the bearing surface 25 against the inner surface of 28a. The upper sash 13 is disposed in an identical arrangement in channel 30.

It should be borne in mind that the important portions of my novel guide-bearing are the bearing surface 25 that is in contact with the rear side of the front edge 28a and, of course, the guide portion 24,'and not the means for securing the guide-bearings to the sash frame.

Although I have shown and described a preferred construction, it is, of course, within the scope of my invention to utilize other embodiments than that shown. For example, I may use a window arrangement in which my novel guide-bearings are employed only on one side of the window sashes, instead of on both sides as shown. In that instance, removal of a sash so equipped can be effected by pressing down the shoulder portions of the insert members so as to move that edge of the sash more deeply into its channel, and then removing the opposite side of the sash, which in this instance is of conventional construction, without insert members. Reinsertion of the sash is, of course, accomplished by placing the side of the sash equipped with insert members into its channel, depressing the shoulder portions to the extent necessary for the edge of the sash to enter the channel deeply, replacing the other edge of the sash in its channel, and then centering the sash.

I am not to be limited to these or other embodiments except as required by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A window construction comprising frame and sash, said frame having opposite sides in which channels of essentially U-shaped cross section are formed, said sash having opposite side edges slidably disposed in said channels, at least one guide-bearing secured to at least one of said side edges of said sash, said guide-bearing having a portion parallel to and normally spaced from the plane of said sash, said portion being flexible and having a shoulder thereon normally engaging an edge of the respective U-shaped channel to prevent sidewise sash movement, the latter channel being of comparatively deep construction, the latter edge being disposed generally toward the center of said sash, said shoulder cooperating with said latter edge to normally serve as a window sash guide means, said parallel portion of said guide-bearing being movable toward the plane of said sash to move said shoulder out ofcontact with the aforementioned latter edge, thereby to enable said side edge of said window sash to enter more deeplyjnto its respective U-shaped channel of the window frame, and thereby to enable removal of the opposite side edge of said window sash from said frame.

2. The window construction as defined in claim 1 in which said guide-bearing is secured to the side edge of said sash by means of legs extending into a recess disposed in the edge of said sash.

3. The window construction as/defined in claim 1 in which said guide-bearing is secured to the side edge of said sash by means of a pin extending between the guidebearing and an edge of said sash,

4. A guide-bearing for use on the side edge of a window sash to improve its mounting arrangement in a window frame, said guide-bearing comprising a base portion, leg means on said base portion enabling it to be mounted in a recess on an edge of the window sash, and an L-shaped portion disposed upon said base portion, with one arm of said L-shaped portion extending generally perpendicular to the plane of the Window sash, and the other arm extending essentially parallel to the plane of the window sash, the latter arm being flexible and having thereon a shoulder portion normally residing in sliding contact with a longitudinal edge of the window frame, toward the center of the window sash, said shoulder portion serving as a window sash guide means, said other arm being capable of being biased toward the window sash so as to cause said shoulder portion to move away References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 671,642 4/1901 Taylor 20-54 2,345,806 4/1944 Glaser et a1 2052.4 2,599,196 6/1952 Percmi 189--73 3,020,605 2/1962 DiLemme 20-56 15 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.-

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Examiner.

A. I. BREIER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A WINDOW CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING FRAME AND SASH, SAID FRAME HAVING OPPOSITE SIDES IN WHICH CHANNELS OF ESSENTIALLY U-SHAPED CROSS SECTION ARE FORMED SAID SASH HAVING OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES SLIDABLY DISPOSED IN SAID CHANNELS, AT LEAST ONE GUIDE-BEARING SECURED TO AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SIDE EDGES OF SAID SASH, SAID GUIDE-BEARING HAVING A PORTION PARALLEL TO AND NORMALLY SPACED FROM THE PLANE OF SAID SASH, SAID PORTION BEING FLEXIBLE AND HAVING A SHOULDER THEREON NORMALLY ENGAGING AN EDGE OF THE RESPECTIVE U-SHAPED CHANNEL TO PREVENT SIDEWISE SASH MOVEMENT, THE LATTER CHANNEL BEING OF COMPARATIVELY DEEP CONSTRUCTION, THE LATTER EDGE BEING DISPOSED GENERALLY TOWARD THE CENTER OF SAID SASH, SAID SHOULDER COOPERATING WITH SAID LATTER EDGE TO NORMALLY SERVE AS A WINDOW SASH GUIDE MEANS, SAID PARALLEL PORTION OF SAID GUIDE-BEARING BEING 